It is a native of Australia. However, here in New Zealand it was introduced in the mid 1800's to support a fur trade. It quickly reproduced out of control and is now a major pest. Anyone wants some, we got about 100 million to give away!

Rodents are the largest group of mammals, constituting almost half the class Mammalia’s approximately 4,660 species. They are indigenous to every land area except Antarctica, New Zealand, and a few Arctic and other oceanic islands, although some species have been introduced even to those places through their association with humans. This huge order of animals encompasses 27 separate families, including not only the “true” rats and mice (family Muridae) but also such diverse groups as porcupines, be